Capital Punishment

Murder is presented to society everyday on the news and in the newspaper, but there are very few instances where justice is served. While capital punishment is legal in some states currently and for federal offenses, it is rarely used over life imprisonment. From the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 up to December 2008, 1,136 executions have occurred while 3,308 inmates remain on Death Row; according to America.gov. Nearly 17,000 murders occurred in 2007 alone. (Disastercenter.com) Capital Punishment should be carried out for convicted murderers.

Some may feel that issuing capital punishment only places others on the same level as the convicted; as George Orwell states in A Hanging, “I had never realized what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide.” Why is the same sentiment often not considered for the victim? The murderer did not consider what was being taken away from the world when he took his victim’s life; so it does not seem fair that he garners more consideration and a second chance.

Capital Punishment may seem inhumane, but the processes used, electric chair, gas, injection, firing squad, and hanging, are more humane than numerous ways a person could kill another person. All of the processes are designed to be as efficient as possible so that the murderer feels as little as possible. Nearly all of the states that do use capital punishment use lethal injection; which is the most efficient and humane method. If only the victims had received consideration in their final moments, or got to choose how they wanted to die, as some convicts do in certain states.

Giving convicted murderers multiple year sentences spanning to multiple life sentences in prison is a mistake. There are some convicted murderers that receive parole for good behavior or are acquitted. How can any amount of good behavior in prison make up for taking a person’s life? Life is supposed to be sacred and valued. Murderers do not value lives that they take. They do not deserve to have their own valued. Putting a murderer back on the streets is endangering the lives of others. There is no way to prove that someone has changed, and with an issue as important as life, no chances should be taken.

Imprisonment may seem like a good alternative to capital punishment because the convicted has to live with guilt everyday, for the rest of their lives, but very few people actually want to die. As long as the convicted is living, they have hope that something might change for them. Numerous people are afraid of death because no one is certain about what is after death; it all depends on personal beliefs. Allowing a murderer to obtain any hope or possible pleasure they may still have in prison, whether it is as simple as reading a book, is unfair to the victims who can have nothing.

Not only is imprisonment unfair to the victims, it is extremely costly. Imprisoned people can not work to support themselves, so their lives are paid for by the government; meaning you and I are supporting them with our taxes. It costs approximately 22,650 dollars to house one inmate per year according to the federal government. If capital punishment is not considered because of justice, it should be considered because of economical reasons. The money spent to support these individuals that have been so detrimental to society could be used to better infrastructure, social programs, or a number of other causes.

Capital Punishment is the most efficient and fair solution to dealing with convicted murderers. Assuming that our justice system has afforded someone a fair trial, they deserve no further consideration. Any consideration given to a murderer is more than they gave to any of their victims or their victim’s family. Justice should be served in the capital punishment.